Rise of the Halfling King (Tales of the Feathered Serpent #1). David Bowles
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ALMAH
THE WITCH OF KABAH
Trained since she was young to be a healer for her people, Almah is
selected by the aluxes for a very special task: raising Sayam.
SAYAM
THE HALFLING BOY
Able to speak the moment he hatches from an egg, this fun-loving
and kind halfling boy was created by the aluxes to bring peace.
KINICH KAK EK
THE KING OF UXMAL
The first king of Uxmal in a hundred years, Kinich Kak Ek is an
ambitious and cruel man who will let nothing stand in his way.
ZAATAN IK
THE CHIEF SORCERER
Knowledgeable in all the dark arts, this wizard helped put Kinich Kak
Ek on the throne, but he would much rather unleash chaos.
MAAX
A CLEVER SPIDER MONKEY
Smart and agile, spider monkeys were revered by the Maya. Maax is
one of the smartest, if not all that agile.
CHULUL
LEADER OF THE ELFIN ALUXES
When humans arrived, aluxes retreated into jungles and caves, led by
wise ones like Chulul. She watches humanity, hopeful.
LOBIL
OLD SHAMAN OF THE ALUXES
The ancient aluxes have great magical lore. Lobil has lived thousands
of years and remembers it all.
A thousand years ago, the lowlands of the Yucatan peninsula were dominated by the
bright and bustling city of Uxmal. Nestled in the forests of the Puuc Hills, Uxmal was
home to 20,000 Maya people.
Twenty kilometers south stood its sister
city, Kabah, center of worship and healing.
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On the outskirts of Kabah, there lived an apprentice x’men, or witch, named Almah.
When she came of age, Almah
traveled into the Puuc Hills
to complete her training.
To become a witch, she needed a magical
object only found in the Grottoes of Loltun.
But Loltun was home to the aluxes—
mystic elfin beings
who wield great magic
to protect nature—
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And the aluxes seldom welcome human visitors to their realm.
I cry your
pardon, Ancient Ones.
Who are you?
Why have you come?
I am Almah, apprentice witch.
I’m searching for a magical stone.
Hmm... I am Chulul, leader
of Loltun. There is goodness in
your heart. We will guide you to
the right sastun.
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I am Lobil, priest of Loltun.
This sastun calls to you.
Wield it well.
Take this drum as well. In the
right hands, it will announce
the true king of Uxmal.
There had not been a king in Uxmal for a hundred years, but
Almah said nothing. One never questions the word of an alux.
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Almah was valuable to her community, calling on the rain gods to ensure bountiful harvests.
Goddess, pour your
love into this flower.
Help it grow.
Thank you, Almah!
She earned her witch’s shawl and began
creating potions for the good of her people.
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Time passed. A king arose in nearby Uxmal.
Kinich Kak Ek’s coronation had been foretold.
The sorcerer Zaatan Ik, chief advisor,
announced another prophecy.
No man born of a woman
can usurp your throne.
There is more.
“When the Kingmaker Drum
sets the kingdom a-thrum,
A rival you must best with
three impossible tests.”
A rival?
Not born?
Kingmaker Drum?
Foolishness!
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Uneasy at the strange prophecy, the king immediately set out to conquer the
surrounding cities. The leaders of Kabah, Almah’s native city, surrendered first.
As his domain expanded, the king built a
white limestone road, a sakbe, from Uxmal
to Kabah, setting an arch at either end.
Down the sakbe flowed
new goods and new rules.
It also brought—
You no longer need aluxes or witches!
The king’s priests.
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The king grew powerful, but also cruel. Laws were strict. Punishments severe.
Almah grew older. Many folks shunned her
out of fear of the king and his priests.
Goddess Ixchel, I gave up
marriage and children to serve
my community. But I’m so lonely.
As she wandered the Puuc Hills one day,
Almah found an unusual egg in her path.
She took it home and placed it near the hearth
where she had hidden the Kingmaker Drum.
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Every day she watched for signs of its hatching.
But she was quite surprised at
what finally emerged.
It was a little boy, not much bigger than her hand.
Familiar with magical beings, Almah realized he
was a gift from the aluxes.
Who are you?
Why,
I’m your grandmother,
precious child!
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